The Hong Kong government’s plan to introduce stricter health and fitness requirements for elderly commercial drivers reflects public safety concerns. Many bus, taxi and goods vehicle drivers in Hong Kong continue to work well into their 70s, and older drivers are more vulnerable to declining reflexes, vision and cardiovascular health, raising risks for passengers and pedestrians. This proposal is expected to be submitted to lawmakers early this year. It follows a horrific accident last August in which an 80-year-old driver’s taxi mounted the pavement and killed a Filipino tourist in Tsuen Wan. The driver reported losing control during a dizzy spell. The authorities frame the proposal as a preventive measure. The move would lower the age threshold for mandatory health checks from 70 to 65, shorten the interval between checks to one year and expand their scope. Officials believe these steps will identify conditions earlier and reduce accidents linked to age-related decline. Advertisement However, the plan will have an impact on livelihoods. Many older drivers rely on their commercial licences for income. Many argue that age alone should not determine fitness to drive and that experience often enhances judgment and caution on the road. They warn that rigid rules could push capable drivers out of the workforce. The debate highlights the complexities of population ageing. Hongkongers have some of the world’s longest life expectancies. Those who argue that the city should adapt its labour policies to an older workforce call for a flexible approach that combines medical evidence with performance-based assessments. In this regard, the authorities should continue disclosing accident data and explain how the proposed tightening of checks will improve outcomes. Engagement with unions and transport operators is also important. Advertisement Hong Kong faces a challenge familiar to ageing societies: safeguarding the public while respecting the dignity of older workers. Stricter h...

spawns/iStock via Getty Images Investment Overview Earlier this week I discussed my holding of AbbVie Inc. ( ABBV ) stock with members of the Seeking Alpha investing group I run, Haggerston BioHealth. I noted that I had held AbbVie stock for several years and that it had proven a good investment. The stock is up nearly 100% on a five-year basis and nearly 300% on a ten-year basis, and the company has always paid a generous dividend, presently yielding >3% per annum. Nevertheless, I have recently considered whether this may be the right time to cash in on my holdings and reinvest elsewhere. I was somewhat skeptical of the company in a note shared to the SA main site back in July last year after its downgraded full-year earnings per share guidance, although ABBV shares have in fact risen in value by >20% on a total return basis since that note was published. I had begun to ask myself, "How high is too high for AbbVie stock." However, I ultimately found some reassurance in comments made by the Illinois-based Pharma's Chief Financial Officer ("CFO") Scott Reents at the JPMorgan ( JPM ) Healthcare conference last month when discussing long-term growth prospects for the business, as follows: We're excited. As I said, we have long-term guidance for high single-digit CAGR through the decade. We also have a clear line of sight with the assets in place today to growth well into the 2030s into the 2030s. So that's where we see from a revenue perspective. We also then when we think about -- from an earnings perspective, we will see EPS expand at a rate faster than sales as we expand our operating margin. So we'll continue to invest in R&D. '25, we'll spend $9 billion in R&D, just about almost 15% of sales. By Big Pharma standards, high single-digit growth - especially when you are already a >$60bn per annum business - sounds impressive, and with bottom line earnings growing at an even faster rate, I concluded the future looked bright for AbbVie and my stock was worth holding. S...

Image source: The Motley Fool. Feb. 4, 2026 at 4:30 p.m. ET CALL PARTICIPANTS Chief Executive Officer — Brian Tyler Chief Financial Officer — Britt Vitalone TAKEAWAYS Adjusted EPS Guidance Raised -- Full-year adjusted EPS guidance increased to $38.80–$39.20, reflecting 17%-19% growth. -- Full-year adjusted EPS guidance increased to $38.80–$39.20, reflecting 17%-19% growth. Revenue -- Consolidated revenue rose 11% to $106.2 billion, supported by broad-based business growth. -- Consolidated revenue rose 11% to $106.2 billion, supported by broad-based business growth. Adjusted Operating Profit -- Operating profit climbed 13% to $1.7 billion, attributed to increased demand in access solutions and specialty distribution volumes. -- Operating profit climbed 13% to $1.7 billion, attributed to increased demand in access solutions and specialty distribution volumes. Gross Profit -- Gross profit was $3.7 billion, representing a 10% increase, led by provider growth within oncology and multispecialty. -- Gross profit was $3.7 billion, representing a 10% increase, led by provider growth within oncology and multispecialty. Operating Expenses -- Expenses grew 7% to $2.1 billion, principally due to acquisitions and growth platforms, with a 138 basis point improvement in expenses as a percentage of gross profit. -- Expenses grew 7% to $2.1 billion, principally due to acquisitions and growth platforms, with a 138 basis point improvement in expenses as a percentage of gross profit. Adjusted EPS -- Adjusted diluted EPS increased 16% to $9.34. -- Adjusted diluted EPS increased 16% to $9.34. North American Pharmaceutical Segment Revenue -- Segment revenue climbed 9% to $88.3 billion, driven by prescription volume growth and specialty distribution strength. -- Segment revenue climbed 9% to $88.3 billion, driven by prescription volume growth and specialty distribution strength. GLP-1 Distribution Revenue -- GLP-1 distribution revenue reached $14 billion, up 26% year over year and 7% sequen...

Oracle (ORCL) closed at $146.67 in the latest trading session, marking a -5.17% move from the prior day. The stock fell short of the S&P 500, which registered a loss of 0.51% for the day. At the same time, the Dow added 0.53%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq lost 1.51%. Shares of the software maker have depreciated by 20.17% over the course of the past month, underperforming the Computer and Technology sector's loss of 0.27%, and the S&P 500's gain of 0.93%. Analysts and investors alike will be keeping a close eye on the performance of Oracle in its upcoming earnings disclosure. It is anticipated that the company will report an EPS of $1.7, marking a 15.65% rise compared to the same quarter of the previous year. Our most recent consensus estimate is calling for quarterly revenue of $16.89 billion, up 19.54% from the year-ago period. For the full year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates are projecting earnings of $7.46 per share and revenue of $66.94 billion, which would represent changes of +23.71% and +16.62%, respectively, from the prior year. Any recent changes to analyst estimates for Oracle should also be noted by investors. These revisions help to show the ever-changing nature of near-term business trends. Hence, positive alterations in estimates signify analyst optimism regarding the business and profitability. Our research demonstrates that these adjustments in estimates directly associate with imminent stock price performance. To utilize this, we have created the Zacks Rank, a proprietary model that integrates these estimate changes and provides a functional rating system. The Zacks Rank system, ranging from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), possesses a remarkable history of outdoing, externally audited, with #1 stocks returning an average annual gain of +25% since 1988. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has moved 0.62% higher. Oracle presently features a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold). Investors should also note Oracle's current valuation metrics, i...

Oracle (ORCL) closed at $146.67 in the latest trading session, marking a -5.17% move from the prior day. The stock fell short of the S&P 500, which registered a loss of 0.51% for the day. At the same time, the Dow added 0.53%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq lost 1.51%. Shares of the software maker have depreciated by 20.17% over the course of the past month, underperforming the Computer and Technology sector's loss of 0.27%, and the S&P 500's gain of 0.93%. Analysts and investors alike will be keeping a close eye on the performance of Oracle in its upcoming earnings disclosure. It is anticipated that the company will report an EPS of $1.7, marking a 15.65% rise compared to the same quarter of the previous year. Our most recent consensus estimate is calling for quarterly revenue of $16.89 billion, up 19.54% from the year-ago period. For the full year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates are projecting earnings of $7.46 per share and revenue of $66.94 billion, which would represent changes of +23.71% and +16.62%, respectively, from the prior year. Any recent changes to analyst estimates for Oracle should also be noted by investors. These revisions help to show the ever-changing nature of near-term business trends. Hence, positive alterations in estimates signify analyst optimism regarding the business and profitability. Our research demonstrates that these adjustments in estimates directly associate with imminent stock price performance. To utilize this, we have created the Zacks Rank, a proprietary model that integrates these estimate changes and provides a functional rating system. The Zacks Rank system, ranging from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), possesses a remarkable history of outdoing, externally audited, with #1 stocks returning an average annual gain of +25% since 1988. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has moved 0.62% higher. Oracle presently features a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold). Investors should also note Oracle's current valuation metrics, i...

Oracle (ORCL) closed at $146.67 in the latest trading session, marking a -5.17% move from the prior day. The stock fell short of the S&P 500, which registered a loss of 0.51% for the day. At the same time, the Dow added 0.53%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq lost 1.51%. Shares of the software maker have depreciated by 20.17% over the course of the past month, underperforming the Computer and Technology sector's loss of 0.27%, and the S&P 500's gain of 0.93%. Analysts and investors alike will be keeping a close eye on the performance of Oracle in its upcoming earnings disclosure. It is anticipated that the company will report an EPS of $1.7, marking a 15.65% rise compared to the same quarter of the previous year. Our most recent consensus estimate is calling for quarterly revenue of $16.89 billion, up 19.54% from the year-ago period. For the full year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates are projecting earnings of $7.46 per share and revenue of $66.94 billion, which would represent changes of +23.71% and +16.62%, respectively, from the prior year. Any recent changes to analyst estimates for Oracle should also be noted by investors. These revisions help to show the ever-changing nature of near-term business trends. Hence, positive alterations in estimates signify analyst optimism regarding the business and profitability. Our research demonstrates that these adjustments in estimates directly associate with imminent stock price performance. To utilize this, we have created the Zacks Rank, a proprietary model that integrates these estimate changes and provides a functional rating system. The Zacks Rank system, ranging from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), possesses a remarkable history of outdoing, externally audited, with #1 stocks returning an average annual gain of +25% since 1988. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has moved 0.62% higher. Oracle presently features a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold). Investors should also note Oracle's current valuation metrics, i...

Li Auto Inc. Sponsored ADR (LI) closed the most recent trading day at $17.34, moving +1.88% from the previous trading session. The stock's change was more than the S&P 500's daily loss of 0.51%. On the other hand, the Dow registered a gain of 0.53%, and the technology-centric Nasdaq decreased by 1.51%. The company's stock has climbed by 0.18% in the past month, exceeding the Auto-Tires-Trucks sector's loss of 1.25% and lagging the S&P 500's gain of 0.93%. Analysts and investors alike will be keeping a close eye on the performance of Li Auto Inc. Sponsored ADR in its upcoming earnings disclosure. The company's upcoming EPS is projected at $0.05, signifying a 90.38% drop compared to the same quarter of the previous year. Meanwhile, our latest consensus estimate is calling for revenue of $4.24 billion, down 30.16% from the prior-year quarter. For the full year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates are projecting earnings of $0.14 per share and revenue of $16.15 billion, which would represent changes of -89.86% and 0%, respectively, from the prior year. Additionally, investors should keep an eye on any recent revisions to analyst forecasts for Li Auto Inc Sponsored ADR. These revisions typically reflect the latest short-term business trends, which can change frequently. Hence, positive alterations in estimates signify analyst optimism regarding the business and profitability. Our research demonstrates that these adjustments in estimates directly associate with imminent stock price performance. To utilize this, we have created the Zacks Rank, a proprietary model that integrates these estimate changes and provides a functional rating system. The Zacks Rank system, running from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), holds an admirable track record of superior performance, independently audited, with #1 stocks contributing an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the past month, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate remained stagnant. Li Auto Inc. Sponsored ADR is holding a Zack...

國家工業和信息化部等八部門上月初聯合印發《「人工智能+製造」專項行動實施意見》（《意見》），為人工智能(AI)與製造業的深度融合提供了清晰的目標與實施路徑。香港中華廠商聯合會研究部發表分析報告，指出《意見》兼具綱領性與操作性，對推動香港「AI+」發展及產業升級具重要啟示，希望政府能出台系統性的《「AI+香港」發展策略》，引導AI與相關產業加快成長。 報告指出，當前人工智能已跨越早期的技術探索階段，正進入向規模化應用邁進的關鍵轉換期。全球主要經濟體在AI領域的競爭焦點，正加速從單純追求技術突破轉向構建產業生態和提升場景應用能力的全方位比拼。作為全球AI發展的兩大領先經濟體，中美的發展路徑呈現出顯著差異。中國積極推行「開源」模式，把人工智能視為基礎性公共產品，致力降低技術應用門檻，賦能產業轉型升級。而《意見》是中央首次聚焦AI賦能特定產業的政策文件，首站選定製造業，體現其作為實體經濟「壓艙石」的戰略地位。 《意見》從創新協同、制度建設、國際合作等多方面推動AI與製造業實現「雙向賦能」。文件提出加強算力供給、布局高水平行業模型，重點突破高端訓練芯片、推理芯片、AI伺服器、智算雲等關鍵技術，並確認企業作為AI創新的核心主體，依託創新平台提升共性技術的供應能力。在應用層面，政策鼓勵AI融入工業裝備、醫療器械、低空裝備等場景，加快智能終端升級，並透過「算力券」、「模型券」支援中小企智能轉型。 制度方面，《意見》強調AI人才預測與培育，推動高校優化學科設置，發展熟悉AI與製造場景的複合型人才；並推進安全、治理、倫理標準體系與建設開源生態。在國際合作方面，鼓勵行業組織提供「出海」配套，支持外資開展生成式AI研發，通過多邊機制推動全球協作。 此外，《意見》亦針對傳統產業提出分類施策，為鋼鐵、石化、建材、紡織等重點行業制定轉型路徑，並針對中小企的痛點，提供實用的AI應用指南。 廠商會認為，香港可參考《意見》的政策精神以及借鑒內地一些領先省市在人工智能賦能製造業高質量發展方面的實踐經驗，並就推動本地人工智能發展提出以下10點建議： 1. 策略規劃：儘快出台具前瞻性和系統性的《「AI+香港」發展策略》來引導AI及相關產業的發展，並擬定符合本地資源條件的中長期行動方案。 2. 優勢布局：率先聚焦金融科技、智能供應鏈、科研中試、先進製造、生物醫健、國際語言模型等優勢領域進行布局，以及加快構建有...

國家工業和信息化部等八部門上月初聯合印發《「人工智能+製造」專項行動實施意見》（《意見》），為人工智能(AI)與製造業的深度融合提供了清晰的目標與實施路徑。香港中華廠商聯合會研究部發表分析報告，指出《意見》兼具綱領性與操作性，對推動香港「AI+」發展及產業升級具重要啟示，希望政府能出台系統性的《「AI+香港」發展策略》，引導AI與相關產業加快成長。 報告指出，當前人工智能已跨越早期的技術探索階段，正進入向規模化應用邁進的關鍵轉換期。全球主要經濟體在AI領域的競爭焦點，正加速從單純追求技術突破轉向構建產業生態和提升場景應用能力的全方位比拼。作為全球AI發展的兩大領先經濟體，中美的發展路徑呈現出顯著差異。中國積極推行「開源」模式，把人工智能視為基礎性公共產品，致力降低技術應用門檻，賦能產業轉型升級。而《意見》是中央首次聚焦AI賦能特定產業的政策文件，首站選定製造業，體現其作為實體經濟「壓艙石」的戰略地位。 《意見》從創新協同、制度建設、國際合作等多方面推動AI與製造業實現「雙向賦能」。文件提出加強算力供給、布局高水平行業模型，重點突破高端訓練芯片、推理芯片、AI伺服器、智算雲等關鍵技術，並確認企業作為AI創新的核心主體，依託創新平台提升共性技術的供應能力。在應用層面，政策鼓勵AI融入工業裝備、醫療器械、低空裝備等場景，加快智能終端升級，並透過「算力券」、「模型券」支援中小企智能轉型。 制度方面，《意見》強調AI人才預測與培育，推動高校優化學科設置，發展熟悉AI與製造場景的複合型人才；並推進安全、治理、倫理標準體系與建設開源生態。在國際合作方面，鼓勵行業組織提供「出海」配套，支持外資開展生成式AI研發，通過多邊機制推動全球協作。 此外，《意見》亦針對傳統產業提出分類施策，為鋼鐵、石化、建材、紡織等重點行業制定轉型路徑，並針對中小企的痛點，提供實用的AI應用指南。 廠商會認為，香港可參考《意見》的政策精神以及借鑒內地一些領先省市在人工智能賦能製造業高質量發展方面的實踐經驗，並就推動本地人工智能發展提出以下10點建議： 1. 策略規劃：儘快出台具前瞻性和系統性的《「AI+香港」發展策略》來引導AI及相關產業的發展，並擬定符合本地資源條件的中長期行動方案。 2. 優勢布局：率先聚焦金融科技、智能供應鏈、科研中試、先進製造、生物醫健、國際語言模型等優勢領域進行布局，以及加快構建有...

Oracle (ORCL) closed at $146.67 in the latest trading session, marking a -5.17% move from the prior day. The stock fell short of the S&P 500, which registered a loss of 0.51% for the day. At the same time, the Dow added 0.53%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq lost 1.51%. Shares of the software maker have depreciated by 20.17% over the course of the past month, underperforming the Computer and Technology sector's loss of 0.27%, and the S&P 500's gain of 0.93%. Analysts and investors alike will be keeping a close eye on the performance of Oracle in its upcoming earnings disclosure. It is anticipated that the company will report an EPS of $1.7, marking a 15.65% rise compared to the same quarter of the previous year. Our most recent consensus estimate is calling for quarterly revenue of $16.89 billion, up 19.54% from the year-ago period. For the full year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates are projecting earnings of $7.46 per share and revenue of $66.94 billion, which would represent changes of +23.71% and +16.62%, respectively, from the prior year. Any recent changes to analyst estimates for Oracle should also be noted by investors. These revisions help to show the ever-changing nature of near-term business trends. Hence, positive alterations in estimates signify analyst optimism regarding the business and profitability. Our research demonstrates that these adjustments in estimates directly associate with imminent stock price performance. To utilize this, we have created the Zacks Rank, a proprietary model that integrates these estimate changes and provides a functional rating system. The Zacks Rank system, ranging from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), possesses a remarkable history of outdoing, externally audited, with #1 stocks returning an average annual gain of +25% since 1988. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has moved 0.62% higher. Oracle presently features a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold). Investors should also note Oracle's current valuation metrics, i...

Image source: The Motley Fool. Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026 at 4:30 p.m. ET CALL PARTICIPANTS Chief Executive Officer — John Hazen Chief Financial Officer — Jim Watkins TAKEAWAYS Revenue -- $706 million, representing 16% growth, with broad-based strength across stores and online channels. -- $706 million, representing 16% growth, with broad-based strength across stores and online channels. Consolidated Same-Store Sales -- Increased 5.7%, with brick-and-mortar up 3.7% and e-commerce up 19.6%. -- Increased 5.7%, with brick-and-mortar up 3.7% and e-commerce up 19.6%. Merchandise Margin Rate -- Expanded by 110 basis points due to buying scale, supply chain gains, and a 240 basis point contribution from exclusive brands. -- Expanded by 110 basis points due to buying scale, supply chain gains, and a 240 basis point contribution from exclusive brands. EPS -- Earnings per diluted share reached $2.79, rising from $2.43; excluding a prior-year benefit, EPS grew by 26%. -- Earnings per diluted share reached $2.79, rising from $2.43; excluding a prior-year benefit, EPS grew by 26%. New Store Openings -- Opened a record 25 stores, bringing the count to 514, with new stores tracking toward $3.2 million in annual sales and sub-two-year paybacks. -- Opened a record 25 stores, bringing the count to 514, with new stores tracking toward $3.2 million in annual sales and sub-two-year paybacks. Fourth Quarter-to-Date Comps -- Same-store sales have grown 5.7% despite a $5 million storm-related revenue impact; pre-storm comps were approximately 9.1%. -- Same-store sales have grown 5.7% despite a $5 million storm-related revenue impact; pre-storm comps were approximately 9.1%. Online Brand Initiatives -- Dedicated Cody James and Hawx brand websites drove incremental growth by attracting mostly new customers, with further brand sites planned. -- Dedicated Cody James and Hawx brand websites drove incremental growth by attracting mostly new customers, with further brand sites planned. Inventory -- ...

Senator Ted Cruz of Texas discusses the recent ICE enforcement controversies in Minneapolis and the Senate hearing on the safety of autonomous vehicles, advocating for a national regulatory framework. He speaks on "Balance of Power: Evening Edition." (Source: Bloomberg)

Palantir and Woodward jumped on earnings beats—here are 3 more setups to watch MSN

A sell-off in the AI-related sector hit the stock today, but there's reason to believe the market is overreacting. Shares in Aehr Test Systems (AEHR 12.21%) declined by almost 15% by 1 p.m. today, only to recover some lost ground later in the day. The move comes as part of a broader sell-off in artificial intelligence (AI)- related stocks, driven by the market's displeasure with Advanced Micro Devices' (AMD)guidance for a sequential sales decline in its first quarter of 2026. Does the sell-off make sense? To be clear, AMD's guidance implies 32% year-over-year growth, but the market focused on the potential 5% sequential decline as some sort of indication of a slowdown in AI infrastructure spending. That matters to Aehr Test Systems as the company is pivoting toward wafer-level burn-in (WLBI) test solutions for customers developing AI processors, after its core market (WLBI for a silicon carbide market dominated by electric vehicle-related spending) slowed markedly. Expand NASDAQ : AEHR Aehr Test Systems Today's Change ( -12.21 %) $ -3.32 Current Price $ 23.87 Key Data Points Market Cap $833M Day's Range $ 23.16 - $ 27.05 52wk Range $ 6.27 - $ 34.35 Volume 45K Avg Vol 895K Gross Margin 33.28 % That said, the AMD sell-off looks like a classic case of the market getting jittery and finding an excuse to sell stock. It's all the more puzzling considering that the day before, Teradyne (TER 4.92%), a company that also makes semiconductor test equipment, said that its fourth quarter sales and earnings came in ahead of its guidance range, "fueled by AI-related demand in compute, networking and memory within our Semi Test business.'" Where next for Aehr Tet Systems Teradyne is an interesting comparison because its testing solutions (used when semiconductor companies start developing and ramping production) tend to be earlier in the cycle than Aehr's systems, which test the quality and reliability of wafer production. As such, the strengthening momentum in Teradyne's business ...

Key Points The market is stressing the nuance of Advanced Micro Devices' guidance today. What Teradyne said just a day earlier is probably more relevant to Aehr Test Systems in 2026. 10 stocks we like better than Aehr Test Systems › Shares in Aehr Test Systems (NASDAQ: AEHR) declined by almost 15% by 1 p.m. today, only to recover some lost ground later in the day. The move comes as part of a broader sell-off in artificial intelligence (AI)- related stocks, driven by the market's displeasure with Advanced Micro Devices' (AMD)guidance for a sequential sales decline in its first quarter of 2026. Does the sell-off make sense? To be clear, AMD's guidance implies 32% year-over-year growth, but the market focused on the potential 5% sequential decline as some sort of indication of a slowdown in AI infrastructure spending. That matters to Aehr Test Systems as the company is pivoting toward wafer-level burn-in (WLBI) test solutions for customers developing AI processors, after its core market (WLBI for a silicon carbide market dominated by electric vehicle-related spending) slowed markedly. Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now, when you join Stock Advisor. See the stocks » That said, the AMD sell-off looks like a classic case of the market getting jittery and finding an excuse to sell stock. It's all the more puzzling considering that the day before, Teradyne (NASDAQ: TER), a company that also makes semiconductor test equipment, said that its fourth quarter sales and earnings came in ahead of its guidance range, "fueled by AI-related demand in compute, networking and memory within our Semi Test business.'" Where next for Aehr Tet Systems Teradyne is an interesting comparison because its testing solutions (used when semiconductor companies start developing and ramping production) tend to be earlier in the cycle than Aehr's systems, which test the quality and reliability of wafer production. ...

Palantir stock sold off sharply on Wednesday giving back gains from its Q4 earnings report amid volatility in artificial intelligence plays.

Key Points Google Cloud revenue rose 48% year over year. The Gemini app now boasts more than 750 million monthly active users. Alphabet expects its capital expenditures to nearly double in 2026. 10 stocks we like better than Alphabet › As earnings season continues, we now have one more "Magnificent Seven" stock's fourth-quarter results to look at: Alphabet's (NASDAQ: GOOG)(NASDAQ: GOOGL). The highly anticipated report featured revenue and earnings per share that easily beat analysts' consensus forecasts, helped by surging growth in its cloud computing business, Google Cloud. In addition, the company confirmed that its AI (artificial intelligence) Gemini continued to gain traction and that AI is serving as a catalyst for growth in online search. But the company also revealed that it plans to spend a massive amount of capital to support its continued growth. Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now, when you join Stock Advisor. See the stocks » Is the tech stock a buy as its Google Cloud business accelerates? Or does the company's plans for a huge investment year offset its upside potential from AI? Google Cloud accelerates Alphabet reported fourth-quarter 2025 revenue of $113.8 billion, up 18% year over year. And earnings per share soared 31% year over year to $2.82. Analysts, on average, were expecting revenue and earnings per share of $111.4 billion and $2.63, respectively. But the most important update from the report was probably Alphabet's impressive growth in Google Cloud. The important cloud computing business saw its revenue rise 48% year over year to $17.7 billion. That compares with 34% year-over-year Google Cloud growth in Q3. Even more, Google Cloud operating income rose to $5.3 billion -- more than double the $2.1 billion the segment achieved in the year-ago quarter. Of course, one of the great things about Alphabet's business is that its growth drivers remain diversified. ...

(RTTNews) - Alphabet Inc. (GOOG), the parent company of Google, on Wednesday, released its consolidated financial statements for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2025. The company's total revenues for the fourth quarter of 2025 reached $113.8 billion, up from $96.5 billion in the same period of 2024. Net income for the quarter increased to $34.5 billion, compared with $26.5 billion last year, while earnings per share rose to $2.82 from $2.15. For the full year 2025, revenues grew to $402.8 billion from $350.0 billion in 2024. The company's operating expenses, including cost of revenues, research and development, sales and marketing, and general and administrative, totaled $273.8 billion in 2025, up from $237.6 billion in the previous year. Despite the increase in expenses, Alphabet's net income for 2025 reached $132.2 billion, or $10.81 per share, compared to $100.1 billion, or $8.04 per share, in 2024. GOOG is currently trading after market at $339.76, up $6.42 or 1.93 percent on the Nasdaq. The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Torex Gold Resources ( TXG:CA ) announced that president and chief executive officer Jody Kuzenko will retire following the annual and special shareholder meeting on June 17, 2026. Chief financial officer Andrew Snowden will assume the role of president and CEO at that time. Snowden has served as CFO since 2021 and will stand for election to the board of directors at the annual shareholder meeting. Kuzenko will not stand for re-election to the board. More on Torex Gold Resources Torex Gold: Morelos Exploration Delivering While Free Cash Flow Ramps Seeking Alpha’s Quant Rating on Torex Gold Resources Historical earnings data for Torex Gold Resources Dividend scorecard for Torex Gold Resources Financial information for Torex Gold Resources

monsitj/iStock via Getty Images Gold futures jumped briefly over the $5,000/oz mark, while silver broke through $90/oz before paring gains Wednesday, as the dollar strengthened and investors took profits after recent gains. With the dollar index at its highest in more than a week, "that strength put some pressure on gold," High Ridge Futures director of metals trading David Meger said in a note, adding that the market remains in a profit‑taking pullback from record highs and that the consolidation "is not quite over yet." "Dip buyers have shown up around the $4,500 region, and the rebound has been swift," Forex.com analyst Fawad Razaqzada said in a note. "But from a structural point of view, meaningful technical damage has already been done. After swings like this, markets usually need time to consolidate." "Despite our positive long-term outlook, it is important to appreciate risks of further near-term volatility," UOB's head of markets strategy Heng Koon How wrote, adding that it will take some time for speculative activities to clear and gold prices to settle down. In a worry for gold bulls, Bloomberg reported China’s major gold-backed ETFs recorded their biggest ever daily outflows Tuesday, totaling nearly $1B, with investor confidence rattled by the metal's abrupt pullback from an all-time high. Net outflows for China's four largest bullion-backed ETFs totaled ~6.8B yuan ($980M) on Tuesday, according to data compiled by Bloomberg, after recording record inflows last week. Front-month Comex gold ( XAUUSD:CUR ) for February delivery closed +0.3% to $4,920.40/oz, and front-month Comex February silver ( XAGUSD:CUR ) finished +1.3% to $84.165/oz. ETFs: ( GLD ), ( GDX ), ( GDXJ ), ( IAU ), ( NUGT ), ( PHYS ), ( GLDM ), ( AAAU ), ( SGOL ), ( RING ), ( BAR ), ( OUNZ ), ( SLV ), ( PSLV ), ( SIVR ), ( SIL ), ( SILJ ) More on gold and silver Commodities: Oil Rising As U.S.-Iran Tensions Re-Emerge Silver: The Opportunity Of A Violent Market Crash The Collapse In Gold And S...

Google’s parent company, Alphabet, beat Wall Street expectations on Wednesday, and is planning a sharp increase in capital spending in 2026 as it continues to invest deeply in AI infrastructure. Alphabet on Wednesday reported profit of $34.5bn in the recently ended quarter, as revenue from cloud computing soared 48%. The company forecast spending between $175bn and $185bn this year, a figure much higher than analysts’ expectations of roughly $115bn. “We’re seeing our AI investments and infrastructure drive revenue and growth across the board, Sundar Pichai, Alphabet’s chief executive, said. Alphabet’s annual revenue exceeded $400bn for the first time, Pichai added. The company reported $113.83bn in revenue for the fourth quarter of 2025 – surpassing Wall Street estimates of $111.43bn. Earnings per share (EPS) also beat Wall Street expectations: the company reported $2.82 in EPS, compared with estimates of $2.63. The report comes after several months of good news for the company in the AI race. The newest version of Gemini, released by Google in November, is considered to be at the forefront of the generative AI industry, a development that has prompted panic at competitor OpenAI. Alphabet’s stock jumped 3% when Google debuted the model. Then in January, Google and Apple announced the company will start using Gemini to power AI features like Siri; the Apple assistant has previously faced criticism for not being as advanced and accurate as its competitors. Google’s valuation shot up to $4tn after the deal, making it the second-most-valuable company in the world. Analysts viewed the multi-year agreement as a huge win for Google: the tech giant beat out competitors like OpenAI, and got access to Apple’s user base of 2.5bn active devices. “Gemini is becoming the AI engine for the world’s most successful software companies,” Pichai said on Wednesday. Alphabet’s projected spending on AI infrastructure means its capital expenditure could as much as double this year. Shares ...

The entrance to a Google corporate office building in New York City. Photograph: John Angelillo/UPI/Shutterstock · Photograph: John Angelillo/UPI/Shutterstock Google’s parent company, Alphabet, beat Wall Street expectations on Wednesday, and is planning a sharp increase in capital spending in 2026 as it continues to invest deeply in AI infrastructure. Alphabet on Wednesday reported profit of $34.5bn in the recently ended quarter, as revenue from cloud computing soared 48%. The company forecast spending between $175bn and $185bn this year, a figure much higher than analysts’ expectations of roughly $115bn. “We’re seeing our AI investments and infrastructure drive revenue and growth across the board, Sundar Pichai, Alphabet’s chief executive, said. Alphabet’s annual revenue exceeded $400bn for the first time, Pichai added. The company reported $113.83bn in revenue for the fourth quarter of 2025 – surpassing Wall Street estimates of $111.43bn. Earnings per share (EPS) also beat Wall Street expectations: the company reported $2.82 in EPS, compared with estimates of $2.63. The report comes after several months of good news for the company in the AI race. The newest version of Gemini, released by Google in November, is considered to be at the forefront of the generative AI industry, a development that has prompted panic at competitor OpenAI. Alphabet’s stock jumped 3% when Google debuted the model. Then in January, Google and Apple announced the company will start using Gemini to power AI features like Siri; the Apple assistant has previously faced criticism for not being as advanced and accurate as its competitors. Google’s valuation shot up to $4tn after the deal, making it the second-most-valuable company in the world. Analysts viewed the multi-year agreement as a huge win for Google: the tech giant beat out competitors like OpenAI, and got access to Apple’s user base of 2.5bn active devices. “Gemini is becoming the AI engine for the world’s most successful software co...

Sundry Photography/iStock Editorial via Getty Images Note: I have discussed Enphase Energy, Inc., or "Enphase" ( ENPH ), previously, so investors should view this as an update to my earlier coverage of the company. After the close of Tuesday's session, leading microinverter and battery storage solutions supplier Enphase Energy reported better-than-expected fourth quarter results, with both revenues and profitability coming in ahead of consensus expectations : Seeking Alpha However, outperformance was solely due to the recognition of $20.3 million in so-called safe harbor revenue, which the company defines as " any sales made to customers who plan to install the inventory over more than one year ". Essentially, safe harboring is a mechanism that enables developers and financiers to freeze domestic content requirements from one year to the next, thus ensuring ongoing qualification for domestic bonus tax credits. Adjusted for safe harbor revenues, sales came in at the lower end of management's guidance: Company Press Releases While sales in Europe declined to new multi-year lows, the company's core U.S. business experienced good demand, with sell-through increasing by more than 20% on a sequential basis to the highest level in more than 2 years. On the conference call , management attributed the strong performance to increased solar and battery installations ahead of the expiration of the Section 25D residential solar tax credit. While still nothing to write home about, free cash flow of $37.8 million represented the best quarterly performance in 2025. Company Press Rel eases/Regulato ry Filings With a $632.5 million convertible note maturity scheduled for next month, the company abstained from share repurchases during the quarter. Regulatory Filings The company ended the quarter with $1.51 billion in cash and liquid investments as well as $1.21 billion in debt. While Enphase expects to receive a $109 million cash payment from the IRS related to 2024 microinverter prod...

On Feb. 4, 2026, AMD’s AI-chip stumble rattled the Nasdaq while defensive Dow names steadied a suddenly nervous Wall Street. The S&P 500 (^GSPC 0.51%) fell 0.51% to 6,882.72, the Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC 1.51%) slid 1.51% to 22,904.58 on heavy tech selling. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI +0.53%) rose 0.53% to 49,501.30 as investors rotated into defensive and value names. Market movers Advanced Micro Devices (AMD 17.31%) sank 17.31% despite solid earnings, finishing the day at $200.19. The market had high expectations, and investors felt the company’s Q1 forecast came up short. Software stocks continued to tumble, with intraday drops from big names, including Thomson Reuters (TRI +1.76%) which is down over 20% in the past five days. In contrast, biopharmaceutical company Amgen, (AMGN +8.05%), gained over 8% on positive Q4 results, helping to push the Dow into positive territory. What this means for investors The Nasdaq continued to plummet today, with AI skepticism reflected in the steep AMD sell-off. SanDisk (SNDK 16.06%) finished the day down by almost 16%, erasing some of its recent gains. Anthropic’s release of new AI tools is pressuring software and services companies. Concern that it could automate a host of jobs offered by companies wiped around $300 billion off software and financial services stocks yesterday, per The Wall Street Journal. Tech upheaval means capital is rotating towards defensive and cyclical stocks, as shown by today’s Dow gains. Disappointing jobs data from ADP did little to reassure investors. The payroll processor said today that private payrolls added 22,000 jobs in January, far below the predicted 45,000 positions. Ongoing uncertainty is likely to weigh on high-risk stocks and contribute to further volatility.

Image source: The Motley Fool. Wednesday, February 4, 2026 at 4:30 p.m. ET CALL PARTICIPANTS Chief Executive Officer — Theodore S. Hanson President — Sadasivam Iyer Chief Financial Officer — Marie L. Perry TAKEAWAYS Revenue -- $980.1 million, at the top end of guidance, with 63% from IT consulting compared to 59% the prior year. -- $980.1 million, at the top end of guidance, with 63% from IT consulting compared to 59% the prior year. Commercial Consulting Bookings -- $444.4 million, producing a book to bill ratio of 1.3 times for the quarter and 1.2 times on a trailing twelve-month basis. -- $444.4 million, producing a book to bill ratio of 1.3 times for the quarter and 1.2 times on a trailing twelve-month basis. Federal Contract Awards -- $144.2 million in new awards; trailing twelve-month book to bill of 0.9 times. -- $144.2 million in new awards; trailing twelve-month book to bill of 0.9 times. Federal Segment Backlog -- Approximately $3 billion, providing a coverage ratio of 2.5 times segment trailing twelve-month revenue. -- Approximately $3 billion, providing a coverage ratio of 2.5 times segment trailing twelve-month revenue. Commercial Segment Revenue -- $698.6 million, up 0.9% year over year and up 2.2% sequentially on a billable day adjusted basis. -- $698.6 million, up 0.9% year over year and up 2.2% sequentially on a billable day adjusted basis. Assignment Revenue -- $359.2 million, down 12% year over year, reflecting ongoing softness in more macro-sensitive commercial sub-segments. -- $359.2 million, down 12% year over year, reflecting ongoing softness in more macro-sensitive commercial sub-segments. Commercial Consulting Revenue -- $339.4 million, up 19.2% year over year; mid-single digit growth excluding contribution from TopLock. -- $339.4 million, up 19.2% year over year; mid-single digit growth excluding contribution from TopLock. Federal Government Segment Revenue -- $281.5 million, down 3.7% year over year. -- $281.5 million, down 3.7% year over ...

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声明显示，Ciena势将于2月9日开盘前被纳入标普500指数。 Dayforce将被从该指数中移除。 责任编辑：李桐

数据显示，2026年以来，公募基金分红金额同比大幅提升，权益类基金分红占比近八成。在政策、业绩、行业转型和资金需求共同作用下，公募分红力度加大已成为行业高质量发展下的一大趋势。（财联社）

Image source: The Motley Fool. Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026 at 5 p.m. ET CALL PARTICIPANTS President and CEO — Cheryl P. Beranek Chief Financial Officer — Daniel R. Herzog Need a quote from a Motley Fool analyst? Email [email protected] TAKEAWAYS Net Sales -- $34.3 million from continuing operations, exceeding prior guidance of $30 million to $33 million, and up 16% from the prior year period. -- $34.3 million from continuing operations, exceeding prior guidance of $30 million to $33 million, and up 16% from the prior year period. Gross Margin -- 33.2%, compared to 29.2% in the prior year quarter, primarily due to improved overhead absorption and better inventory utilization. -- 33.2%, compared to 29.2% in the prior year quarter, primarily due to improved overhead absorption and better inventory utilization. Operating Expenses -- $13.2 million, up from $10.7 million year over year, reflecting continued investment in technology and customer expansion initiatives. -- $13.2 million, up from $10.7 million year over year, reflecting continued investment in technology and customer expansion initiatives. Net Loss Per Share (Continuing Ops) -- $0.02 loss, identical to the prior year period. -- $0.02 loss, identical to the prior year period. Net Loss from Discontinued Operations -- $340,000, or $0.02 per share, a reduction from $1.6 million, or $0.11 per share, compared to the year-ago period. -- $340,000, or $0.02 per share, a reduction from $1.6 million, or $0.11 per share, compared to the year-ago period. Cash and Investments -- $157 million at quarter end with no debt, signaling balance sheet strength. -- $157 million at quarter end with no debt, signaling balance sheet strength. Share Repurchases -- $5.2 million invested to repurchase 179,000 shares, with $23.1 million remaining under the expanded $85 million authorization as of December 31, 2025. -- $5.2 million invested to repurchase 179,000 shares, with $23.1 million remaining under the expanded $85 million authorization ...

Mesut Dogan/iStock Editorial via Getty Images For better or worse, narrative around Oracle Corporation ( ORCL ) is morphing into a financing story after the recent $45B–$50B financing plan for 2026. Unfortunately, I’m getting more and more convinced that Oracle's fundamentals alone just don’t matter anymore. The market is looking beyond the growth story, and, since my last coverage , the stock is down double digits. Overall, I see Oracle as a battleground stock, with price movements driven by headlines, and some of them aren’t even about Oracle. I’m talking about OpenAI, after the recent Nvidia investment tensions . In my view, Oracle’s recent post on X is the tell. It is my opinion that public companies don’t use social media to clarify the impact of a third-party deal unless they think the market is mispricing them because of it. That said, in the midst of this battleground, I decided to open a small, highly speculative, long position on Oracle. Below, I discuss why. Oracle's Financing Strategy Let's start with the recent news. This week, the company announced a financing plan for the OCI expansion in 2026. Given the 53% drop in Oracle's share price since the $300B OpenAI deal , I think management didn’t want to wait until the next earnings call to share this news. Initially, the news was received positively by the market, but the stock sold off during the day, as it didn't solve the main problem, i.e., how will OpenAI pay for the widely reported $300B in compute commitments. This was amplified by the recent tensions between Nvidia and OpenAI. As you may remember from back in September, Nvida annouced that it would invest $100B in OpenAI. Last weekend, some reports suggested that the two companies could now be rethinking the future of their partnership, and that current discussions have included an equity investment of tens of billions of dollars. In a recent interview in Taipei, Jensen Huang said: We are ‍going to make a huge investment in OpenAI. I believe in Op...